Thirteen referees have been selected for the first phase of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and South African referee Abongile Tom has made the cut.
Tom has been doing an outstanding job on the African continent, having officiated in the African Nations Championship, the CAF Champions League, the CAF Confederations Cup and the ongoing African Cup Of Nations.
The Cape Town-born referee is currently in Ivory Coast, where he has officiated three matches in the tournament.
iDiski Times understands that Tom is amongst the 13 referees who have been selected for the first preparations. Their first course will be in Qatar between 26-29 February.
The full list is:
Ibrahim Mutaz, Ghorbal Mustapha, Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo, Abongile Tom, Issa Sy, Dahane Beida, Guylain Pierre Atcho, Mahmood Ali Mahmood, Amin Mohamed Amin Mohamed Omar, Mansour Mohamed Maarouf, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, Allaou Alhadji Mahamat and Bouchra Karboubi.
